Perhaps part of my fascination with shows about clutter is the former neat freak in me wonders how I amassed so many piles of newspapers. Granted, I've been regularly working in journalism since the 1990s and trying to whittle down my clips to just those that are really must-keeps. But the piles still seem to be growing, and that can make for tight quarters in a one-bedroom apartment populated by two people, three cats and a pretty extensive CD collection.

In watching "Clutter" unfold on stage, I wanted to see more -- more clutter in the stage set, more of the story between brothers Homer and Langley Collyer and a more clear line on whether the show was a comedy or a murder mystery. Andrew J. Pond as Langley and Edward Kuffert as Homer have a good rapport with one another as the well-to-do brothers.

But overall, I kept wondering if we were supposed to be more concerned about the case that Sgt. Reilly Dolan (Joe Mack) and his brother, Patrolman Kevin Dolan (Michael J. Bullaro), were investigating or the dymanic that led to the demise of the Collyer brothers.

Having regularly watched TV reality shows focused on hoarding and even catching other documentaries about the compulsive disorder from time to time, I may be more privy to what makes hoarders tick than those who don't watch those programs regularly. Often on "Hoarders" or "Hoarding: Buried Alive," it is a tragedy such as a family member's death that triggers the massive hoard to accumulate, while it's often the need for companionship and/or to help animals that seems to propel the cases on "Confessions: Animal Hoarding."

In all cases, it seems that once the disorder begins, it's hard to dig one's self out of the clutter and it's even harder to repair relationships and one's psyche. I would have liked to know more about what made the Collyer brothers tick and what drove them to amass objects that included several umbrellas and the jawbone of a horse. I did enjoy the show's program being a mock edition of The New York Sun newspaper, though. That was a fun touch especially since the Collyer brothers' New York apartment was filled to the brim with stacks and stacks of newspapers and their story made for its own front-page news when it broke in 1947.

One thing that seeing "Clutter" provoked in me was a renewed sense that I do have to tackle those piles of newspapers once and for all, so that there can be more space in my place. Granted, unlike the Collyer brothers, I don't have elaborate booby traps set about my home to thwart intruders.

But it still would be nice to have better feng shui and finally cross off the organization entry that has long been on my to-do list. Whether you've seen "Clutter" and/or the TV shows that focus on hoarding or not, I'm curious how many of you lean toward clutter and/or know a hoarder. I'm starting to think that many of us have a bit of hoarder in us. Some of us just deal with it better than others.

~*~ You can save on parking after 5 p.m. weekdays by using the Children's Memorial Hospital parking lot, 2316 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, where it will only cost $6 with either your ticket stub from a Greenhouse Theater Center show or validation from the Greenhouse box office.

Other dining partners offering specials to customers who present a Greenhouse show ticket stub include Aquitaine Restaurant(a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees before or after the show), Kim & Scott's Cafe Twist(a limited-time offer of getting one stuffed pretzel free when you buy one stuffed pretzel) and Nesh Mediterranean Grill(10 percent off your order).

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Jessi Virtusio

Jessi Virtusio is the SouthtownStar’s arts and entertainment editor. She also pens the paper’s Gig of the Week and pro wrestling columns. You’ll usually find her enjoying a concert or other special event. She’s always looking to discuss music, good eats, movies and more, so let her know what’s on your mind.